Charlotte & Dick Lavin Jewish Community Center (Durham, NC) – Standard Masonry Polished Face

Jewish Community Center Built with Standard Masonry Polished Face Block

Profile: Charlotte & Dick Levin Jewish Community Center
Durham, NC

The Jewish community of Durham, NC, set out to build a new community center with the goal of enhancing and preserving the traditions of their faith community, coupled with a green initiative to do their part in preserving the environment. Targeting silver LEED® certification, the new 35,695 sq. ft. facility accompanies the Judea Reform Congregation and Lerner Jewish Community Day School, serving as both a fitness center and a community gathering venue. The center includes a full-sized gym, two outdoor pools, a fitness area, rooms for art and music, a daycare facility, and a kosher cafe. With programs for both the elderly and the youth, the center is a hub for Jewish cultural and social events for the entire community.

Jewish Community Center Pool with Standard Masonry Polished Face Surface

The large masonry surfaces of both the interior and exterior of this modern design were animated by a subtle variegated pattern of Adams Polished Face concrete masonry units in three complementary hues. The pattern was achieved with 8'x24' panels mixed in a staggered coursing, offset in a one-third running bond relation. "The success of this installation is a reflection of a cooperative effort between the architect, the contractor, the mason, and the supplier," says Fred Pugsley, lead architect, who notes that the process included multiple samples and full-sized sample installations to insure the proper result.

Design Firm: Gurlitz Architectural Group - Durham, NC
Lead Architect: Fred Pugsley
General Contractor: Whiting-Turner - Raleigh, NC
Mason Contractor: Mattachione Construction, Inc. - Apex, NC

Featured Product >> Adams Polished Face CMU

Adams Polished Face units are made differently than conventional ground face, utilizing a 10-head wet grind process that starts with an 80-grit diamond and works its way to a 3500-grit polishing wheel, giving the final finish a high luster and revealing the beauty of the aggregate. Adams Polished Face CMUs can include recycled content to help achieve LEED® credits.

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